South Woodstock, VT —The Kedron Valley Dairy has changed its name to the Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company in an effort to better define the farm’s goals. Although currently a dairy, by November 15th the farm will produce its first cheese and will begin a controlled growth plan to full cheese making capacity. With this cheese production, the Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company will become the first community owned artisan cheese and dairy facility in Vermont. The Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company was conceived and founded as a community based effort to preserve the rural way of life in South Woodstock. The availability of a multimillion dollar state of the art Dairy and Cheese making facility in our community offered a unique opportunity to save this farm.
Milk production will continue on the farm as farmstead cheese is defined as cheese produced from you own herd on the same property. The neighborhood impact, however, will be greatly reduced as the need to ship milk will be eliminated and the need to ship cheese will only occur weekly. Additionally, there will be no large bus tours scheduled at this facility as there was under the previous owners. As cheese production increases, the plan calls for just one shift, 5 days a week, again a reduction in what was previously done at the farm.
Future plans include a stronger relationship with Vermont Technical College creating an education element at the facility as well as a significant reduction in the carbon footprint with an eventual target of zero dependence on external energy. Part of the company’s plan is to create a self-sustaining enterprise that has a positive impact in South Woodstock.
The Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company became a reality when a group of South Woodstock community members took ownership of the former water buffalo farm property on April 1, 2010. The property consists of several barns a milking parlor and an integrated creamery with refrigerated storage and cheese-aging capabilities. There is also a built-out space above the creamery suitable for a dedicated classroom.
Please follow the Vermont Farmstead Cheese Company on Facebook and at its website. For more information, please or call 802-457-9992.
The Vermont Farmstead Cheese Co., is the first community owned artisan cheese and dairy facility in Vermont. The company was conceived and founded as a community based effort to preserve the rural way of life in South Woodstock. For more information, please visit here, PO Box 6, South Woodstock, VT 05071, 802-457-9992. E- mail: reese@vermontfarmstead.com.
SOURCE The Vermont Farmstead Cheese Co.